The story of Darshanam Mogulaiah’s struggles from Padma Shri recipient to daily labourer fighting for a living is a testament to the difficulties that artists in India’s cultural landscape confront and the intricacies of fame and money. The 2022 winner of the esteemed fourth-highest civilian award was observed at work at a Turkayamjal building site, which is close to Hyderabad.
Recipient of the Padma Shri
The fact that Darshanam Mogulaiah received a Padma Shri is noteworthy not only because it acknowledged his talent but also because of the cultural legacy he upholds and symbolizes. One of India’s greatest civilian awards, the Padma Shri, is given for exceptional work in a variety of disciplines, such as music, writing, and the arts. This esteemed award was given to Mogulaiah for his proficiency with the “Kinnera,” a unique tribal musical instrument. This brought him national recognition and highlighted the significance of indigenous art forms in India’s cultural mosaic.
History of Kinnera
The kinnera is a stringed instrument, similar to a veena, whose origin can be traced back to as early as the 4th century CE. The instrument is indigenous to the nomadic tribes and Dalit communities in the Deccan Plateau, such as the Dakkali, Madiga and Chenchu. There are kinneras with different numbers of stairs or steps.
Mogilaiah’s forefathers were pioneers in making and playing kinneras with different numbers of stairs. His father made a nine-stair kinnera. Mogilaiah was the first person to create a 12-stair kinnera, and he is the only artist who made and played the 12-step kinnera.
Restoration of the ‘Kinnera’
Mogulaiah brought back the ‘Kinnera’ into the public domain, proof of his commitment to protecting and advancing the often-overlooked and disadvantaged tribal music traditions. In addition to showcasing the depth and variety of India’s cultural legacy, his works act as a link between the past and the present, introducing modern audiences to long-standing customs that risk becoming lost to time.
The wider societal consequences of Mogulaiah’s Padma Shri honour surpass the scope of his individual accomplishments. His acknowledgement represents an appreciation of the worth and significance of India’s cultural diversity as a representation of underprivileged people and indigenous creative forms. It draws attention to the necessity of giving underprivileged artists more encouragement and acknowledgement because their efforts enhance the cultural fabric of the country.
A quest for survival
The story of this 73-year-old artist also highlights the difficult circumstances that many Indian artists must deal with despite the distinction attached to the Padma Shri. When cultural practitioners lack infrastructure and ongoing financial support, they are frequently left open to exploitation and unstable economic conditions. Awards and recognition can lead to momentary notoriety, but they don’t really address the structural issues that artists like Mogulaiah deal with in their day-to-day lives.
According to reports, Kinnera Mogulaiah used the one crore in cash that the Telangana government gave him for family crises. “I used that money ( ₹1-crore state grant) for my children’s weddings. I even bought a piece of land at Turkayamjal on the city’s (Hyderabad’s) outskirts. I started building a house but had to stop midway as I ran out of funds,” Mogulaiah said.
The state promised the artist a 600-square-yard land parcel in the Rangareddy area, close to Hyderabad, in addition to the 1 crore cash award. However, the report pointed out that the allocation has not yet been completed.
“One of my sons suffers from seizures. For medicines (son and myself) alone I need at least ₹7,000 a month. Then there are regular medical tests and other expenses, ” Mogulaiah, father to nine children, added.
Senior journalist Sucheta Dalal brought attention to the problem by sharing and highlighting the Padma Shri recipient’s struggles.
The leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS), KT Rama Rao, saw the tweet and replied, “Thanks, Sucheta Ji, for bringing this news to my attention…I will personally take care of Sri Moguliah’s family. My team @KTRoffice will reach out to him immediately.”
The major cause of Mogulaiah’s economic struggles started Mogulaiah’s when the state discontinued paying him a ₹10,000 stipend each month, leaving him perplexed as to why. “I have been making the rounds of govt offices and meeting public representatives for help. All respond positively but do nothing.”
Lack of assistance and difficulties with bureaucracy
Mogulaiah’s journey from a well-known Padma Shri recipient to a labourer fighting for a living emphasizes how unstable artistic careers are in India. It serves as a sobering reminder of the necessity of all-encompassing support networks, including social welfare, healthcare, and financial aid, to guarantee the welfare and respectability of artists throughout the nation.
Juggling economic disparity with creative recognition
The journey of Mogulaiah captures the conflicting realities of Indian art appreciation and economic instability. His Padma Shri honour symbolizes the significance of indigenous art forms and cultural variety, while his following problems reveal the systemic obstacles that underprivileged artists confront. Mogulaiah’s narrative serves as a painful reminder of the continuous struggle for recognition, support, and respect for artists throughout India, a nation still grappling with issues of economic injustice and cultural preservation.
